STUDENTS and staff from Warrington & Vale Royal College gathered on campus for the annual Vocational Results Celebration Morning, which saw the strongest set of results to date.
For many, this would be the last time they would step into the college as students, concluding their technical and T Level journeys and marking the beginning of new and exciting chapters.
Final year students were greeted on the day with cakes and celebratory ‘Nosecco’ as they shared their results with their peers, tutors, and nearest and dearest. The day was filled with smiles and laughter as students celebrated their achievements, relieved that the wait for their results was finally over and delighted to see their hard work rewarded.
This year, the college achieved an outstanding 99% pass rate for students studying Level 3 Extended Diplomas, qualifications equivalent to three A Levels. Students on T Level programmes also performed exceptionally well with a 96% pass rate, with the college exceeding the national average by 3.4 percentage points.
The vast majority of students celebrated strong results, with 90% achieving high grades. More students than ever before gained nationally recognised qualifications, making 2026 one of the college’s most successful years to date. These results reflect the college’s growing momentum, with a 3% increase in the number of students achieving Merit, Distinction and Distinction* grades, which are broadly equivalent to B, A and A* grades at A Level.
Students collect their results
This success forms part of a broader picture of excellence across the college. The most recent student satisfaction survey, which is used to evaluate the student experience and inform continuous quality improvement, revealed that 98% of students felt they had been encouraged to achieve their full potential during their studies, while 99% believed they were developing the skills needed to succeed in both life and work.
These exceptional outcomes align with the findings of the college’s most recent Ofsted inspection, which rated the college as Outstanding for Personal Development and Attitudes and Behaviours, and Strong for its responsiveness to local and regional skills needs. Together, these achievements highlight the distinctive experience offered at Warrington & Vale Royal College, where expert teaching, personalised support, and unparalleled opportunities to engage with employers enable students to achieve outstanding results and progress to positive post-16 destinations. As a result, students are well equipped to succeed academically and thrive in their future careers.
With students fully prepared to progress onto a variety of impressive pathways, events such as the Vocational Results Celebration Morning reinforce the college’s mission of turning qualifications into careers. As Level 3 Extended Diplomas and T Levels are equivalent to A Levels, students are using their technical qualifications to confirm conditional offers at prestigious universities and impress employers, leading them to higher apprenticeships and skilled careers within the workforce.
One such student using their valuable level 3 qualification to progress onto higher education is Esther Cook, who has received a Triple Distinction* in Level 3 Games Design. This grade, equivalent to 3 A* A Levels, has allowed Esther to progress to the University of Chester, where she looks forward to studying BA Fine Art. She says: “I am so happy with my result! My course was everything I hoped it would be. I have been able to come to college, gain a qualification by doing something I love, and am now clear on exactly what I want to do for my future career.”
Another student celebrating exceptional success is Phoebe Dobson, a former pupil of Kings Leadership Academy, who has spent the past two years studying Level 3 Health & Social Care while working towards her ambition of progressing to university. Her dedication and hard work have been rewarded with an A*, the highest possible grade for her qualification. Although she has since decided to pursue a career in accountancy, her outstanding achievement has secured her a place at Liverpool John Moores University, demonstrating the versatility and value of the skills she has developed during her time at college. Her success highlights how the college equips students with the knowledge, confidence and transferable skills needed to thrive across a wide range of higher education and career pathways.
While many students are progressing to university, others are pursuing alternative exciting opportunities, including apprenticeships and skilled employment with leading employers. One such student is Jayden Fellows, a former pupil of Beamont Collegiate Academy, who is celebrating his T Level in Business Management and Administration results today. His success has helped secure a Regional Sales Development position with Jungheinrich, a role he first discovered through the industry placement he completed as part of his course. Reflecting on his journey, Jayden said: “This college has encouraged me to become the best version of myself and given me opportunities I never dreamed I would have, like completing community outreach in Sri Lanka. I am so grateful for my tutors, who have been my champions from day one, and have made my time at college unforgettable.”
For some, this year’s results day is not goodbye! Many students, including Thomas Rimmer, who joined the college from Cansfield High School, will be returning in September to continue their studies. Having achieved a Distinction grade and flourished under the guidance of the college’s specialist tutors, Thomas decided there was no better place to develop his skills further. Thomas said: “I feel like I’m achieving my best at this college, and receiving a Distinction has proved that. I’m really excited to take my knowledge and skills to the next level on the HNC Graphic Design. There’s no place I’d rather study!”
Thrilled with the day’s success, the college’s Principal & CEO, Nichola Newton, said: “Today is a proud day for our college community as we celebrate the outstanding achievements of our students. Their success is a testament to their hard work, and the skill and dedication of our staff. We congratulate all our students on their results and wish them every success in the future.”
As one of the region’s leading providers of technical education, Warrington & Vale Royal College continues to help thousands of students achieve their ambitions each year. Young people who are still considering their options for this September are encouraged to act quickly and apply now, as places are limited. Enrolment begins on Thursday 20th August, with non-applicants welcome to attend from Monday 24th August to secure any remaining spaces. To take a look at the courses on offer, head to the college’s website: wvr.ac.uk/16-18
Tutors celebrate
